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Large Turnout Expected for GMO Hearing

A large public gallery is expected to hear Federated Farmers New Zealand's appeal against an Environment Court decision concerning genetically moderated organisms.

The appeal will be heard in Whangarei High Court on Tuesday.

GE Free Northland and other environmental and iwi groups in the anti-GMO coalition are calling for the public to turn up to show solidarity in opposition to Federated Farmers' action.

Last May the Environment Court ruled that local governments could regulate over the use of GMOs in their areas. Federated Farmers based its court action on the premise that central government legislation about the use of GMO plant materials was adequate. In that case, Whangarei District Council successfully challenged Federated Farmers' stance that Northland Regional Council acted unlawfully by incorporating GMO precautions in its regional plan.